Picket lines of public sector workers - protesting over government proposals to alter their pensions - formed early in the morning outside University Hospital in Walsgrave, at Coventry Council House, the city’s courts, tax offices, job centres and many other workplaces.

Demonstrations in Warwickshire included outside the county council’s Shire Hall HQ, the justice centre in Leamington and Nuneaton’s George Eliot hospital.

Marchers in Coventry were joined by many of Coventry City Council’s ruling Labour councillors, including leader John Mutton and deputy leader George Duggins.

The march began at the cathedral and proceeded via Fairfax Street, Broadgate and New Union Street to a mass rally at speakers’ corner outside the Council House.

They were united against proposals which they say will mean worse pensions for up to two million public sector workers - with many paying more in from their wages, to get less out in retirement, after working longer.

Colourful banners included one which read: “If you want a gold-plated pension, become an MP.”

Another read: “Life expectancy in Foleshill = 64. New retirement age 68. Work us till we drop.”

Jane Nellist of the National Union of Teachers and Coventry Trades Union Council, one of the city’s main strike organisers, told the crowd: “Today will be remembered by future generations as the day we joined together to fight back against draconian cuts, not just to pensions.

It came the day after chancellor George Osborne’s mini-budget outlined two more years of a cap on public sector pay, and possibly 710,000 public sector job losses by 2016 - more than double previous estimates.

Coun Mutton told the crowd: “I can’t speak for the national Labour party.

"I’m speaking for the Labour party in Coventry.

“Every Labour councillor is on your side. Nobody has gone in to work. Nobody has crossed a picket line.”